The Ideal Blog Post Length: Does Size Matter?

By Carrie Rubin, May 17, 2012

Unless one is trying to reproduce, shrinkage is not always bad. My point?

If you pedal backwards through my blog, you will notice post-miniaturization. In other words, goodbye high word-count tomes; hello reader-friendly nubbins.

So, instead of:

“Hey, all you wonderful folks, how’s the skin rash?”

You’ll soon get:

“Hey, all you wonderful folks.”

And finally, just a simple:

“Hey.”

Well, okay, except for my Lazy Blog Days, the entries will not be that short. But my point is, brevity can be good.

Ironically, writing a short piece proves tricky, at least for me. But with my last few posts, I’ve tried to balance having a message with getting you out in time for lunch. Or for your S&M bondage session. Your choice. I don’t judge.

Pull my finger.

So what is the ideal blog post length?

Once again, I crawled into bed with Google, and this is what I found. For optimal Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the general consensus seems to be that a post should be at least 300 words. If you would like a description of SEO, you’ve come to the wrong place.

How about maximum word count? Opinions vary, though several sites I queried note 1,000 words as the upper limit. But even that might push the patience button. According to The Secrets of Blog Post Length, 400-600 words seems a reasonable goal.

I like the sound of that. And if it keeps you lovely people checking in, I hereby swear to abide by the following mantra:

Four hundred down low,

Six hundred up high,

If ever I should stray,

Pitch a fork in my eye.

Well, hold on. On second thought, let’s make it 300-700 words. My eyesight is lousy enough.

Nope. These are not my big red glasses from the eighties. But we’re getting closer.

And now, since I have a few allotted words left, allow me to share my son’s newest expression. It’s really adorable. In fact, I think I’ll start a regular feature showcasing my teenage sons’ verbal sewage. Let’s call it:

The Awful Offspring Offal*

So for today, enjoy this gem the oldest recently tossed out. Trust me, no context is necessary. Just know that my youngest son now goes by the name “Vagina Nuts.”

What about you? What do you consider the perfect blog post length? Is there such a thing? 

All images from Microsoft Clip Art

*Offal: Noun  1. The entrails and internal organs of an animal. 2. Refuse or waste material.

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